The American Institute of Biological Sciences and Climate Change

 

American Institute of Biological Sciences

Despite what we hear from the Trump Administration, there is no confusion in the scientific community about our role in the destruction of the earth’s climate.

This post follows similar climate consensus posts I have made referencing the US National Academies of Science, the UK’s Royal Society, and our American Meteorological Society. This one is the American Institute of Biological Sciences which represents 5,000 biologists and 200 professional societies for a combined representation of 250,000 professionals.  www.aibs.org .

Here is the 2009 position paper submitted to the US Senate and one of the clinchers motivating me to become a climate activist seven years ago:

“Dear Senator: As you consider climate change legislation, we, as leaders of scientific organizations, write to state the consensus scientific view. Observations throughout the world make it clear that climate change is occurring, and rigorous scientific research demonstrates that the greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are the primary driver. These conclusions are based on multiple independent lines of evidence, and contrary assertions are inconsistent with an objective assessment of the vast body of peer-reviewed science. Moreover, there is strong evidence that ongoing climate change will have broad impacts on society, including the global economy and on the environment. For the United States, climate change impacts include sea level rise for coastal states, greater threats of extreme weather events, and increased risk of regional water scarcity, urban heat waves, western wildfires, and the disturbance of biological systems throughout the country. The severity of climate change impacts is expected to increase substantially in the coming decades.1 If we are to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases must be dramatically reduced. In addition, adaptation will be necessary to address those impacts that are already unavoidable. Adaptation efforts include improved infrastructure design, more sustainable management of water and other natural resources, modified agricultural practices, and improved emergency responses to storms, floods, fires and heat waves. We in the scientific community offer our assistance to inform your deliberations as you seek to address the impacts of climate change.”

Dr May Berenbaum, President of the AIBS signed the letter joining 17 other prestigious US Science Organizations.

That was in 2009 and we have done nothing. All the threats are they warned us about are manifesting themselves and growing. As voters we must educate ourselves and vote wisely.

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